AMN
The average doubling rate of coronavirus cases in two wards of Mumbai has crossed the 100 days mark. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed that with this the city has become first in the country to have the highest average doubling period of coronavirus cases.
The city’s- H-East ward (comprising the eastern stretch of Bandra, Khar and Santacruz) and F-North (comprising Wadala, Sion, Matunga) – showed a doubling rate of 108 days each.
Besides there are eight wards in the city where the doubling rate has crossed 50 days. The city’s average growth rate of cases in the last seven days has been 1.72%. Doubling rates are based on seven-day moving averages and show the number of days needed for cases to double at weekly intervals. Civic officials stated that the increase in doubling rate is the indication that BMC’s strategy to control the pandemic is working at the ground level.
The BMC has launched a ‘Mission Zero rapid action plan’ and ‘Mission Universal Testing’ with the aim of increasing doubling rate to 50 days with the help of newly added 50 ambulance-clinics which will visit the congested areas of the city to screen slum dwellers and collect samples of those with Covid-19 symptoms. The BMC, along with the police, is also emphasizing on implementation of containment zone rules in hotspots. The BMC is also procuring antigen test kits to use in these containment zones for early detection and for timely treatment.
Meanwhile, hair salons in Maharashtra will reopen from tomorrow, after being shut for over three months due to the lockdown. The salons will have to adhere to the standard operating procedures of hygiene and cleanliness. As many as 12 barbers have committed suicide in the last three months in the state due to financial losses suffered due to the lockdown.